A Master’s thesis at the College of Science, University of Kerbala, presented by Zahraa Mohammed Ghazi from the Department of Chemistry, focused on the synthesis and evaluation of a new series of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives linked to a β-lactam (azetidin-2-one) unit, investigating their potential as antibacterial agents.

The study aimed to design novel drug-like compounds combining oxadiazole and azetidinone scaffolds, known for their promising therapeutic properties. It also sought to optimize synthesis conditions using microwave irradiation to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

The thesis involved a series of multi-step reactions to obtain the targeted derivatives, which were structurally characterized using FT-IR, NMR, and mass spectrometry (MS). Their biological activity was tested against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains.

Results revealed that several of the synthesized compounds exhibited antibacterial activity comparable to or exceeding that of amoxicillin, with good yields and spectral data supporting their structural integrity.

The study recommends further investigations, including cytotoxicity and safety assessments, as well as evaluating efficacy against a broader spectrum of microbes and fungi, paving the way for potential future drug development.